*MORE COMING SOON (The cole's notes version of this letter is the next post!.. check the side panel)
October 2009
Hello Friends and Family!
I hope you all had a fantastic fun-filled summer, and that your fall is full of new and exciting prospects!
As some of you have heard I am about to set out on the adventure of a lifetime and move to Swaziland, a small country in South West Africa.
Although most of you have never heard of this tiny country, it is in fact extremely well known in the international sphere for one particular reason; Swaziland holds the dubious title of having the highest prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the world. Over 43% of the population is infected and the number is rising. The present life expectancy is 32 years of age.
As a result of this horrible disease there are now over 120,000-orphaned children living in Swaziland (one out of every six children). Presently children head 15% of the households in Swaziland. Unfortunately, this means that these uneducated, unsupported children never learn how to avoid the disease, and are never given opportunities to develop themselves for the future. In a country where over 70% of the population lives in abject poverty this results in many children entering the sex trade at an extremely young age, often in order to provide themselves with as little as a single meal. This of course leads to many of these children being infected by HIV/AIDs, and the cycle continuing onward. At the present rate of infection and death the Swazi people will CEASE TO EXIST by 2050.
HOWEVER, despite what appears to be a dire situation there is HOPE for this beautiful little country. In 2006 a team of social entrepreneurs decided to purchase an abandoned mining town in Swaziland called Bulembu. This team had a clear vision- empower Swazi’s to help restore Bulembu to a vibrant, self-sustaining community by the year 2020. This vision will be accomplished through community enterprise (which includes building a thriving, diverse, self sustainable business sector, as well as access to banks and micro loans) and community care (a medical clinic, a school, a police force,etc.). The town must self- generate $6 million dollars a year to support its 10,000 inhabitants. The beautiful heart of this vision however, is to be able to provide care for 2,000 orphans and foster the development of a new generation of leaders. Bulembu is a place that is aimed at giving these children a HOPE and a FUTURE. Bulembu foundation believes the first step to transform this nation is to restore this town.
As many of you know, for a long time my heart has been to go serve in Africa. I have a passion for seeing change happen and have for a long time been searching for an organization that is creating effective change and addressing problems holistically rather then just throwing money at individual problems. Bulembu’s vision has captured my heart and imagination and after a lot of thought and prayer I have decided to do whatever it takes to help serve this organization, and help see its vision come to fruition.
To this end, in mid-November I will be uprooting and moving myself to Bulembu until at least August. Using my education and work experience I will be working alongside the leaders in Bulembu. I will be volunteering there in a much-needed position as a operations and project coordinator helping support the head of the orphan care program. This position will be mainly logistical and will likely include organization of orphan care, the set up programs of for these children, as well as finding more volunteer mothers and housing, so we can bring more children into the program.
In order to do this however, I need YOUR support. The biggest hurdle I am presently facing is raising the financial support I need to be able to work alongside this organization. Despite Swaziland being an extremely poor African nation, food costs are relatively on par. Thus in order to make it to Swaziland and live even on the bare minimum once I am there, I will need to raise $3000 pre departure, to cover such things as travel, insurance, vaccinations etc., and $500 a month after that for food and rent. Presently, I am in the process of selling my belongings but unfortunately as I own very little, I have a long way to go to make up the funds needed. If you can join me in this incredible journey by making a contribution (ANYTHING helps!) I would be immensely grateful! Whether your donation is big or small you too will be participating in this incredible act of love. (If fifty of you will commit to giving $10 a month then that will be the entire amount I need to get by on a monthly basis!). We have been blessed with so much, and so I am asking you to come alongside me to help this organization bless others, because the truth is, with your help we can give these children a hope and a future, WE can give these children LIFE!
Please spread the word to anyone you know who would be interested in learning more or in sponsoring me. If you could pass this letter onto parents or employers it would be appreciated more than you know. I am also happy to meet with anyone to talk more about what I will be doing. I am presently accepting donations in person, via email, and through the donation link below (though I'm not sure if it's working yet). Thank you in advance for all your generosity and support. Your thoughts and prayers are so appreciated!
Thanks again.
Tons of Love,
Heather Davies
You can donate by pressing (Thanks again so much!!!!):
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=YM7KXJH6H955C&lc=CA&item_name=Bulembu%20Foundation%2d%20Heather%20Davies¤cy_code=CAD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donateCC_LG%2egif%3aNonHosted
Cole's notes version
Cole’s notes:
I’m moving to Swaziland:
Swaziland:
– a country in Africa with the highest rate of HIV/AIDs in the world (over 43%)
– 15% of households are headed by children (1 in 6 kids is Swaziland is an orphan)
– 70% of the population lives in abject poverty
– Result: These unsupported, uneducated, destitute children are never taught a skill set in order to make a future for themselves so often enter the sex trade to make money or earn a single meal out of desperation. Most then contract HIV/AIDs and the cycle continues. At the present rate of death, Swazi’s will be extinct by 2050.
I am going to be volunteering with a group called Bulembu
Bulembu:
- a formerly abandoned town in Swaziland that a group of social entrepreneurs bought in order to restore it and give 10,000 Swazi’s (including 2000 orphans!) a home where they can find hope and a future.
- They are doing this through community enterprise (creating a diverse thriving business sector, and economic infrastructure), and community care (a medical clinic, a school, orphan care, etc., run by Swazi’s)
- The town must self generate $6 million a year to support its inhabitants.
- By 2020 must be totally self-sufficienct and self sustaining because the project is ending.
- Heart of vision: to foster a new generation of leaders and change the trend in Swaziand.
I will be working alongside the leaders in Bulembu as operations and project coordinator. I have thought and prayed about this for a long time and really feel called. I am incredibly passionate about what Bulembu is doing.
Conclusion: as the organization is volunteer I need your support while I am over there so that in turn I can support this beautiful organization. We have been blessed with so much, and so I am asking you to come alongside me to help this organization bless others, because the truth is, with your help we can give these children a hope and a future, WE can give these children LIFE!
Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers!
Love,
Heather Davies
http://heatherinswazi.blogspot.com/
778 389 0737
I’m moving to Swaziland:
Swaziland:
– a country in Africa with the highest rate of HIV/AIDs in the world (over 43%)
– 15% of households are headed by children (1 in 6 kids is Swaziland is an orphan)
– 70% of the population lives in abject poverty
– Result: These unsupported, uneducated, destitute children are never taught a skill set in order to make a future for themselves so often enter the sex trade to make money or earn a single meal out of desperation. Most then contract HIV/AIDs and the cycle continues. At the present rate of death, Swazi’s will be extinct by 2050.
I am going to be volunteering with a group called Bulembu
Bulembu:
- a formerly abandoned town in Swaziland that a group of social entrepreneurs bought in order to restore it and give 10,000 Swazi’s (including 2000 orphans!) a home where they can find hope and a future.
- They are doing this through community enterprise (creating a diverse thriving business sector, and economic infrastructure), and community care (a medical clinic, a school, orphan care, etc., run by Swazi’s)
- The town must self generate $6 million a year to support its inhabitants.
- By 2020 must be totally self-sufficienct and self sustaining because the project is ending.
- Heart of vision: to foster a new generation of leaders and change the trend in Swaziand.
I will be working alongside the leaders in Bulembu as operations and project coordinator. I have thought and prayed about this for a long time and really feel called. I am incredibly passionate about what Bulembu is doing.
Conclusion: as the organization is volunteer I need your support while I am over there so that in turn I can support this beautiful organization. We have been blessed with so much, and so I am asking you to come alongside me to help this organization bless others, because the truth is, with your help we can give these children a hope and a future, WE can give these children LIFE!
Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers!
Love,
Heather Davies
http://heatherinswazi.blogspot.com/
778 389 0737
OFF TO SWAZILAND!
*MORE COMING SOON
October 2009
Hello Friends and Family!
I hope you all had a fantastic fun-filled summer, and that your fall is full of new and exciting prospects!
As some of you have heard I am about to set out on the adventure of a lifetime and move to Swaziland, a small country in South West Africa.
Although most of you have never heard of this tiny country, it is in fact extremely well known in the international sphere for one particular reason; Swaziland holds the dubious title of having the highest prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the world. Over 43% of the population is infected and the number is rising. The present life expectancy is 32 years of age.
As a result of this horrible disease there are now over 120,000-orphaned children living in Swaziland (one out of every six children). Presently children head 15% of the households in Swaziland. Unfortunately, this means that these uneducated, unsupported children never learn how to avoid the disease, and are never given opportunities to develop themselves for the future. In a country where over 70% of the population lives in abject poverty this results in many children entering the sex trade at an extremely young age, often in order to provide themselves with as little as a single meal. This of course leads to many of these children being infected by HIV/AIDs, and the cycle continuing onward. At the present rate of infection and death the Swazi people will CEASE TO EXIST by 2050.
HOWEVER, despite what appears to be a dire situation there is HOPE for this beautiful little country. In 2006 a team of social entrepreneurs decided to purchase an abandoned mining town in Swaziland called Bulembu. This team had a clear vision- empower Swazi’s to help restore Bulembu to a vibrant, self-sustaining community by the year 2020. This vision will be accomplished through community enterprise (which includes building a thriving, diverse, self sustainable business sector, as well as access to banks and micro loans) and community care (a medical clinic, a school, a police force,etc.). The town must self- generate $6 million dollars a year to support its 10,000 inhabitants. The beautiful heart of this vision however, is to be able to provide care for 2,000 orphans and foster the development of a new generation of leaders. Bulembu is a place that is aimed at giving these children a HOPE and a FUTURE. Bulembu foundation believes the first step to transform this nation is to restore this town.
As many of you know, for a long time my heart has been to go serve in Africa. I have a passion for seeing change happen and have for a long time been searching for an organization that is creating effective change and addressing problems holistically rather then just throwing money at individual problems. Bulembu’s vision has captured my heart and imagination and after a lot of thought and prayer I have decided to do whatever it takes to help serve this organization, and help see its vision come to fruition.
To this end, in mid-November I will be uprooting and moving myself to Bulembu until at least August. Using my education and work experience I will be working alongside the leaders in Bulembu as operations and project coordinator. I will be volunteering there in a much-needed position as a project administrator as well, helping support the head of the orphan care program. This position will be mainly logistical and will likely include organization of orphan care, the set up programs of for these children, as well as finding more volunteer mothers and housing, so we can bring more children into the program.
In order to do this however, I need YOUR support. The biggest hurdle I am presently facing is raising the financial support I need to be able to work alongside this organization. Despite Swaziland being an extremely poor African nation, food costs are relatively on par. Thus in order to make it to Swaziland and live even on the bare minimum once I am there, I will need to raise $3000 pre departure, to cover such things as travel, insurance, vaccinations etc., and $500 a month after that for food and rent. Presently, I am in the process of selling my belongings but unfortunately as I own very little, I have a long way to go to make up the funds needed. If you can join me in this incredible journey by making a contribution (ANYTHING helps!) I would be immensely grateful! Whether your donation is big or small you too will be participating in this incredible act of love. (If fifty of you will commit to giving $10 a month then that will be the entire amount I need to get by on a monthly basis!). We have been blessed with so much, and so I am asking you to come alongside me to help this organization bless others, because the truth is, with your help we can give these children a hope and a future, WE can give these children LIFE!
Please spread the word to anyone you know who would be interested in learning more or in sponsoring me. If you could pass this letter onto parents or employers it would be appreciated more than you know. I am also happy to meet with anyone to talk more about what I will be doing. I am presently accepting donations in person, via email, and through the donation link below (though I'm not sure if it's working yet). Thank you in advance for all your generosity and support. Your thoughts and prayers are so appreciated!
Thanks again.
Tons of Love,
Heather Davies
You can donate by pressing (Thanks again so much!!!!):
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=YM7KXJH6H955C&lc=CA&item_name=Bulembu%20Foundation%2d%20Heather%20Davies¤cy_code=CAD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donateCC_LG%2egif%3aNonHosted
October 2009
Hello Friends and Family!
I hope you all had a fantastic fun-filled summer, and that your fall is full of new and exciting prospects!
As some of you have heard I am about to set out on the adventure of a lifetime and move to Swaziland, a small country in South West Africa.
Although most of you have never heard of this tiny country, it is in fact extremely well known in the international sphere for one particular reason; Swaziland holds the dubious title of having the highest prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the world. Over 43% of the population is infected and the number is rising. The present life expectancy is 32 years of age.
As a result of this horrible disease there are now over 120,000-orphaned children living in Swaziland (one out of every six children). Presently children head 15% of the households in Swaziland. Unfortunately, this means that these uneducated, unsupported children never learn how to avoid the disease, and are never given opportunities to develop themselves for the future. In a country where over 70% of the population lives in abject poverty this results in many children entering the sex trade at an extremely young age, often in order to provide themselves with as little as a single meal. This of course leads to many of these children being infected by HIV/AIDs, and the cycle continuing onward. At the present rate of infection and death the Swazi people will CEASE TO EXIST by 2050.
HOWEVER, despite what appears to be a dire situation there is HOPE for this beautiful little country. In 2006 a team of social entrepreneurs decided to purchase an abandoned mining town in Swaziland called Bulembu. This team had a clear vision- empower Swazi’s to help restore Bulembu to a vibrant, self-sustaining community by the year 2020. This vision will be accomplished through community enterprise (which includes building a thriving, diverse, self sustainable business sector, as well as access to banks and micro loans) and community care (a medical clinic, a school, a police force,etc.). The town must self- generate $6 million dollars a year to support its 10,000 inhabitants. The beautiful heart of this vision however, is to be able to provide care for 2,000 orphans and foster the development of a new generation of leaders. Bulembu is a place that is aimed at giving these children a HOPE and a FUTURE. Bulembu foundation believes the first step to transform this nation is to restore this town.
As many of you know, for a long time my heart has been to go serve in Africa. I have a passion for seeing change happen and have for a long time been searching for an organization that is creating effective change and addressing problems holistically rather then just throwing money at individual problems. Bulembu’s vision has captured my heart and imagination and after a lot of thought and prayer I have decided to do whatever it takes to help serve this organization, and help see its vision come to fruition.
To this end, in mid-November I will be uprooting and moving myself to Bulembu until at least August. Using my education and work experience I will be working alongside the leaders in Bulembu as operations and project coordinator. I will be volunteering there in a much-needed position as a project administrator as well, helping support the head of the orphan care program. This position will be mainly logistical and will likely include organization of orphan care, the set up programs of for these children, as well as finding more volunteer mothers and housing, so we can bring more children into the program.
In order to do this however, I need YOUR support. The biggest hurdle I am presently facing is raising the financial support I need to be able to work alongside this organization. Despite Swaziland being an extremely poor African nation, food costs are relatively on par. Thus in order to make it to Swaziland and live even on the bare minimum once I am there, I will need to raise $3000 pre departure, to cover such things as travel, insurance, vaccinations etc., and $500 a month after that for food and rent. Presently, I am in the process of selling my belongings but unfortunately as I own very little, I have a long way to go to make up the funds needed. If you can join me in this incredible journey by making a contribution (ANYTHING helps!) I would be immensely grateful! Whether your donation is big or small you too will be participating in this incredible act of love. (If fifty of you will commit to giving $10 a month then that will be the entire amount I need to get by on a monthly basis!). We have been blessed with so much, and so I am asking you to come alongside me to help this organization bless others, because the truth is, with your help we can give these children a hope and a future, WE can give these children LIFE!
Please spread the word to anyone you know who would be interested in learning more or in sponsoring me. If you could pass this letter onto parents or employers it would be appreciated more than you know. I am also happy to meet with anyone to talk more about what I will be doing. I am presently accepting donations in person, via email, and through the donation link below (though I'm not sure if it's working yet). Thank you in advance for all your generosity and support. Your thoughts and prayers are so appreciated!
Thanks again.
Tons of Love,
Heather Davies
You can donate by pressing (Thanks again so much!!!!):
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=YM7KXJH6H955C&lc=CA&item_name=Bulembu%20Foundation%2d%20Heather%20Davies¤cy_code=CAD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donateCC_LG%2egif%3aNonHosted
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